Raton crew painted USS Salmon upper rudder blushing pink in the Summer of 1959

Since 12-17-04

From: Paul Nelson
To: Bill Decker
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 4:40 PM

Bill,

The Salmon had just arrived in San Diego, in the late summer of 1959, as I remember, and was moored either the first or second boat outboard of the tender. I was the duty officer (and weapons officer) when the upper rudder was admired and said how well it would look painted "titty" pink. I agreed. Some paint was mixed accordingly and one of the crew went over and did the job.

The next morning the Salmon's duty officer and another officer under instruction did nothing. When Don Whitmire saw this, he had a fit. Both officers were confined to the boat at first. The whole nest had a big laugh at this. Later in the day I went over to visit an academy classmste and who was from Coronado, Joe Talbert. As I walked down the passage in the forward battery, Big Daddy accused me of being responsible. I didn't respond. He said that he had gotten the names of all the boats' duty officers for that night and I had to be the one. He eventually forgave me.

Paul Nelson 1958 -1960